The South China Sea has long been widely known for its messy mix of rival territorial claims. Less is understood about its geology and how it formed.

Recently, a group of Chinese scientists returned to the country after collecting data from a depth of more than 4,000 meters in the South China Sea.

"This is the first time for us to record the sea basin from such a deep position. Great findings have already been seen from initial analysis, which will substantially promote the scientific understanding of the deep South China Sea," says marine geophysicist Li Chunfeng from Shanghai-based Tongji University. Li is also the co-chief scientist on the expedition project of the International Ocean Discovery Program, an international marine research collaboration that explores the Earth's history and dynamics using ocean-going research platforms to recover data recorded in seafloor sediments and rocks and to monitor subseafloor environments.